Phenological aspects and variation of chlorophylls a and b contents in caryocar-brasiliense camb

There were detected variations of chlorophylls a and b during the senescence leaves period of Caryocar brasiliense Camb in the Corumbatai cerrado vegetation, State of São Paulo. The highest peak of total chlorophylls a and b contents was registered after the maximum leaves expansion, while the lowest peak it was obtained at leaves abcision. The chlorophylls a and b variations can be explained as a function of a chlorophyll a variation content. The phenological events studied (flowering and fruiting time, leaf fall and sprouting) showed a marked periodicity during the year. Flowering and fruiting time have a similar peak both in the wet season (september to february). Leaves fall occurred in the dry season with the peak in August.

Nitrogen redistribution to sorghum grains as affected by plant competition

An experiment was conducted to study nitrogen absorption and translocation in grain sorghum plants during their reproductive growth. Sorghum was grown in four row spacings: 50 and 70 cm in single rows, 80 and 120 cm in double rows 20 cm apart. Plant populations were 71000, 142000 and 213000 plants/ha. After flowering, samples were taken at 12 day intervals, and the plants were divided into grains and stover, where N was analyzed. There was an increase in N concentration in lower plant populations and in wider row spacings. However, total nitrogen accumulation (in kg/ha) increased as the number of plants was increased. In the vegetative parts of the plants there were higher N concentrations in lower populations showing that there was a higher N absorption and a lower translocation to the grains. When grain sorghum was grown in 50 cm rows, there was a high N accumulation, a high N translocation to the grains and the highest yield. This row spacing led to the highest N use efficiency.

Association of two new Coryphasia species (Araneae, Salticidae) with tank-bromeliads in southeastern Brazil: Habitats and patterns of host plant use

Two allopatric species of Coryphasia (Araneae: Salticidae), both described for the first time in this study, have been found associated with Bromeliaceae in distinct phytophysiognomies (e.g., inselbergs, highland forests and restingas) from southeastern Brazil. In this study, we investigated whether these salticids were associated specifically with bromeliads, and whether they used bromeliads of different species and sizes in distinct geographic regions. The Coryphasia species were rarely found outside bromeliads, occupied larger bromeliad species among those available, and were generally more frequent on bromeliads in open areas, such as inselbergs on mountain tops. The two Coophasia species were observed submerging in phytotelmata, possibly as an anti-predatory behavior. The patterns of spatial and microspatial distribution and the submergence behavior of these species were similar to those of other bromeliad-dwelling salticids, which suggests a convergence among spiders that live on bromeliads.

Épocas de plantio de milho em função das deficiências hídricas no solo em Cambará-PR

The aim of this study was to try the forecast of corn (Zea mays L.) sowing dates, the understanding of the quantitative effect of water deficits on that crop and crop yield decrease on a basis of a climatic model of water deficit forecast. This model was applied at Cambara (lat. 23 degrees 00'S, long. 50 circle 02'WGr, altitude 450 m), PR, Brazil. The model estimates yield decrease, in relation to potential values, as a function of the sowing dates which determine flowering and grain filling dates, highly critical times in relation to water deficit. The estimates were done from expected values of water deficit, at the 80% probability level and accumulated degrees-days, using several climatological data. Results show that the first ten days of November are the best corn sowing date under dry or irrigated conditions. Under these same conditions, the worst time showed to be August. Estimates of total needs of supplementar irrigation get values of 126 e 226 mm, respectively to the corn sowed at the first ten days of November and August.

Yield and quality of carrot seeds, cv. Brasilia, as a result of plant population, gibberellic acid and stage of maturity

'Brasilia' is a cultivar of carrot with characteristics suiting cultivation under hot conditions but with problems in seed production, arising from the conflicting requirements of root and seed production. One solution is to select cultivars requiring vernalisation and then to use GA(3) to induce flowering where the climate prevents this. There is, however, little information on plant population, seed maturity and harvesting time on which to base such a procedure. Accordingly this research was carried out to study the physiological quality and production of the seeds in plant populations from 25,000 to 800,000 plants/ha, in the seed-to-seed method of cv. Brasilia in Anapolis, GO, Brazil. In each population, two harvest methods (from first and second orders of umbels, or selected harvest, and remaining orders, or total harvest) and two stages of maturity (brownish, or mature seeds, and yellowish, or immature ones) were also evaluated. Two trials were carried out, with and without gibberellic acid. Seed was evaluated for physical characters, germination, vigour, 1000-seed weight, water content, dry matter and productivity. Seed was produced in both experiments (with or without GA3 spraying). Mature seed showed germination at least 30% greater than immature, and seed from the selected harvest showed germination 16% greater than from the total harvest. In increasing plant population to 200,000 plants/ha, seed quality was not affected, but productivity increased.

Reproductive phenology of climbers in a Southeastern Brazilian forest

The reproductive phenology of the entire climber community (96 species of lianas and 40 species of vines) in a semideciduous forest in Southeastern Brazil (22 degrees 49'45''S; 47 degrees 06'33''W and 670 m altitude) was observed from March 1988 to February 1991. Phenological observations were made weekly by walking along a 10.5 km trail in the interior and at the forest edges of the Santa Genebra Reserve (SGR). The most species-rich families of climbers were Bignoniaceae (22), Malpighiaceae (17), Sapindaceae (12) and Asteraceae (12). Flowering patterns for woody lianas and herbaceous vines differed. Lianas had two flowering peaks: a minor peak in March in the transition from wet to dry season, and a major peak in October during the transition from dry to wet season. The flowering peak for herbaceous vines was in April. Fruiting of lianas was highly seasonal, with one peak in the late dry season (July-August). Fruiting for vines was less seasonal with a slight peak in March. These differences were consistent with the predominance of wind-dispersed fruits among lianas (72% of species) versus vines (52%). Low rainfall, high leaf fall, and strong winds during the dry season favor wind dispersal. More species of vines (40%) have animal-dispersed seeds than lianas (19%), and most vines fruited during the wet season. Phenological patterns of climbers and trees and treelets at SGR differed. The life form of lianas and their system of reserve economy may allow them to reproduce during periods unfavorable to trees. Displacement of peak flowering periods of trees and climbers pollinated by bees and small generalist insects may decrease competition for pollen vectors among species of these two groups of plants. Whereas the fruiting patterns of wind-dispersed trees and climbers at SGR were similar (most species fruiting during the dry season), animal-dispersed trees and treelets fruited throughout the year while animal-dispersed climbers exhibited a pronounced peak in late wet season. The distinct phenological patterns of climbers, generally complementary to those presented by trees, resulted in constant availability of Bowers and fruits throughout the year and enhances the importance of this plant group in Neotropical forests.

Seasonal presence of acicular calcium oxalate crystals in the cambial zone of Citharexylum myrianthum (Verbenaceae)

This study focuses on the seasonal presence of acicular crystals in the cambial zone of Citharexylum myrianthum Chain. (Verbenaceae). Specimens collected in different months from 1996 to 2000 were examined for the abundance of acicular crystals in the cambium. This information was correlated with the phenology of the species and the climate of the region. Acicular calcium oxalate crystals were found in cambial fusiform and ray cell initials, as well as in their daughter cells. An abundance of crystals was observed during periods of water deficit and leaf fall (July). Fewer crystals were found in the beginning of the wet season and bud swelling (September). When trees were flowering and the soil was wet (November and December), acicular crystals were rarely observed. During this period, acicular crystals were found in differentiating phloem and xylem parenchyma cells, in fully differentiated phloem cells, but not in fully differentiated xylem cells.

Desempenho do irrigâmetro no manejo da água de irrigação na cultura do feijoeiro

In this work, the aim was to evaluate the performance of Irrigameter in the management of the irrigation water, led in the culture of the bean plant, comparatively to the use of the methods standard of stove, tensiometers, Bouyoucos, automatic meteorological station and pan Class A. Irrigameter was adjusted to the soil characteristics, culture of the bean and irrigation equipment to confection the management ruler. For direct estimation of the evapotranspiration of the culture of the bean plant in your development stadiums, Irrigameter operated inside with heights of the levels of water of the evaporatorio same to 2, 3 and 5 cm, corresponding to the stadiums of initial development, vegetative development and flowering, respectively. The humidity obtained by the standard method of stove it was adopted as reference in the comparisons of the irrigation depth. Irrigameter can be used in the management of the irrigation to determine the consumption of water directly for a culture, in any development stadium; the methods that estimate the evapotranspiration of the culture overestimated the irrigation depth recommended by the standard method of stove, happening behavior contrary with the ones that determines the current humidity of the soil.

Cultivares de trigo submetidas a déficit hídrico no início do florescimento, em casa de vegetação

The water restriction can damage the performance of crops, especially in the flowering period. Thus, the aim of this research was to evaluate the response of genotypes of wheat submitted to water deficit in the beginning of flowering. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse, in a completely randomized design, in factorial scheme 3 x 2, with five replications. The factors studied were: three wheat cultivars (Coodetec (CD) 105, 108 and 111) and 2 irrigation managements (with and without imposition of water deficit). During the period of water deficit imposition, gravimetric soil moisture and the relative content of water in leaf were evaluated, while at the moment of rehydration the biometric variables were determined. At the end of the crop cycle the components of production were evaluated. Reduction was found in the gravimetric soil moisture, in the relative levels of water and in all biometric variables, in function of the water deficit. The grain production showed difference only among the water regimes, in which the cultivar CD 111 is more efficient in the maintenance of the productive potential in conditions of water deficit, through the quick recovery in the relative content of water in leaves.

Performance of Cultivars for Production of Green Corn in Different Planting Dates in Passos Region, MG

The aim of this work was evaluating the performance of several cultivars of green corn for consumption 'in natura' in different planting dates. The first planting date was on May 26th, and the others, every 40 days. The hybrids (treatments) were: AG-1051, Agroeste 1567, BM-3061, Prezoto-32D10, PL-6880, BX-1382 and GNZ-2004. The following characteristics were evaluated: production, commercial ears weight without husk, commercial ears number, commercial ears diameter and length, male flowering, plant height and height of ear corn insertion. The cultivars AG1051, Agroeste 1567 and BM 3061 presented the best results compared to the others and they should be used in green corn production for ` in natura' consumption in Passos County, MG.

Exploitation of floral resources on Sparattosperma leucanthum (Bignoniaceae): foraging activity of the pollinators and the nectar and pollen thieves

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fenologia de Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Caryocaraceae) no Alto Rio Grande, sul de Minas Gerais

Phenological studies are important to understand the dynamics in forest ecosystems and also to enable adequate management of their native species. In the Cerrado regions of the high Rio Grande river (south of Minas Gerais State), Caryocar brasiliense species is found in highly distinct morphological forms with variable phenology. The aim of this study was to investigate phenological patterns within and between populations of both the tree and shrub forms of the individuals and to determine any correlation with abiotic factors. Thirty-five observations of the phenophases of the vegetative and reproductive stages were recorded ever), two weeks for 18 months. The activity index was analyzed for each stage and further analyzed to see if there were associations with the climate data by using Spearman linear correlation. The species was deciduous but leaf growth became retarded during the dry season, at which point leaf flushing stopped and total leaf fall occurred throughout the rainy season. The flowering and the fruit production occurred in the rainy season. The reproductive phase can be either annual or sub-annual. The activity index showed high synchronism within populations during the first flowering in all populations studied (> 80%). Flowering and mature fruits were highly synchronized according to Spearman correlations. Tree and shrub individuals of C. brasiliense had very similar times for their phenophases. The best period for collecting mature fruits in these regions is between February and March.

Avaliação do triticale (X triticosecale wittimack) para silagem

Silages from three cultivars of triticale (X Triticosecale wittimack) were evaluated at the UNESP, Jaboticabal, Brazil. The cultivars FCA VJ-CB-01, FCA VJ-CB-02, and FCA VJ-CB-03 were harvested for silage in three growing stages of maturity; beginning of flowering, (S1), milk stage (S2), and dough stages (S3). Data were analyzed by randomized complete block with three replications. The DM (%) values increased while the CP (%DM) and buffering capacity (me HCl/100 g DM) decreased with plant development. Silages of plants harvested at S3 stage had higher pH and N-NH3 values compared to the S1 and S2 silages. The soluble carbohydrates contents (%DM) were higher at the S2 stage (16.9%) and were not different at the S1 (8.7%) and S3 (9.2%) stages. The crude energy contents (Kcal/kg MS) increased while the ADF, NDF, cellulose, and hemicellulose (DM%) decreased due to the presence of dough grains. This was not observed with the lignin contents. The IVDMD values were 66.3, 60.1 and 58.9%, for plants harvested at the S1, S2, and S3 stages, respectively. The results showed that there was no difference among for chemical composition, crude energy, and for IVDMD.

Eficiência de absorção e utilização de potãssio por plantas de soja em solução nutritiva

A greenhouse experiment was conducted in a factorial design of randomized complete blocks, with three replications, to study plantage response of soybean cultivars on efficiency: update (EAB); conversion (EC) and utilization, as well as utilization index (IU) by soybean cultivars. Four soybean cultivars (IAC 17, IAC 18, IAC 11 e FT 2) were grown in nutrient solutions with either adequate or deficient K levels (0.5 and 1.82 mmol. L-1) and harvested 20, 40 and 60 days after plant emergence (DAPE). The plants were separated in top, median and lower leaves, stems and roots, dried, ground and analyzed for K contents. Regardless of cultivar, in deficient plants K was translocated from the other organs to median leaves, in order to maintain its K contents. This behavior was particularly evident in 'IAC 11' and 'IAC 18'. Well nourished plants showed higher EAB than deficient plants. 'IAC 17' and 'IAC 18' showed higher EAB at either adequate or deficient K. levels. 'FT 2' showed highest EUK in deficient solutions at 40 DAPE (immediately before flowering), and the lowest EUK at 60 DAPE. The utilization index was helpful in determining cultivar plasticity to adapt to K deficiency. The highest plasticity was observed for 'FT 2' at 40 DAPE and for 'IAC 18' at 60 DAPE. K-deficient plants were more efficient in EC, yielding more dry matter for K uptake unit.

Manejo de brachiaria decumbens e seu reflexo no desenvolvimento de Eucalyptus grandis

A field trial was carried out in Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, SP, on sandy soil, between February 1993 to February 1995, aiming to study the effects of fertilizer doses and brachiaria grass control on the growth of E. grandis. In the field the plots (9×9 plants, spacing 2×3 m) were located following a randomized block experimental design with four repetitions. The treatments were arranged in a factorial design with four systems of brachiaria grass control in the space between the Eucalyptus rows: mowing, cultivation, chemical control with glyphosate (2,08 kg eq. ác./ha) and hand hoeing were developed when the population reached the early flowering stage and four doses of the fertilizer 20-05-20: 0, 115, 230 and 345 kg/ha, handled at 3, 6 and 12 monthes after the transplantation. The hand hoeing was the most effective method of brachiaria grass control. However the hand hoeing controlled plots showed a decrease on the E. grandis growth exhibiting slower growth rate, shorter plants, thinner stems, smaller leaf area results and reduction on dry matter accumulation than the plants from the other plots under different weed control management's. The glyphosate promoted an excellent brachiaria grass control while the E. grandis plants grow better. Both remainder weed control management systems were intermediary in terms of efficacy. The mowing management was the most similar method as compared to the hand hoeing one and the cultivation treatments to the chemical control method. The growth rate differences observed between the hand hoeing and chemical control treatments were not caused directly by late fertilizations. There were no significative interactions among the weed control systems and the fertilization doses. Considering the brachiaria grass that grew between the E. grandis rows there were detected benefits to the crop and these effects increased when the chemical control was used for weed management.